Iowa high school baseball rankings: No. 4 Kee manages high expectations in Class 1A

Lansing Kee soared to last year’s Class 1A state baseball tournament final despite not being ranked all season.

The Hawks returned all but one player from the program’s eighth state runner-up team, elevating prospects for this year. Kee was a mainstay in the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings, claiming the preseason No. 1 spot and remaining in the top five all season.

“The difference between last year and this year is the expectations are that much higher,” Kee Coach Jim Mauss said. “That can be tough on guys, especially when they care as much as they do.”

The Hawks finished the season ranked fourth for the third straight week by the IHSBCA, which released its final 1A and 2A rankings this week. Postseason play for the two smallest classes begins Saturday.

Kee is 32-3 this season and won the Upper Iowa Conference with a 17-1 mark. The lone league setback came Monday in a doubleheader split with North Fayette Valley. The loss may have been a good reminder for the Hawks, who are looking to return to state in Carroll.

“We almost ran the table in our conference season, but we split with North Fayette Valley (Monday) night,” Mauss said. “I think that maybe that can be a good thing going into playoffs, because it kind of humbles the guys.

“They know we can’t overlook anybody and there is work to do yet.”

Improved health and defense have been a major difference. The Hawks haven’t had to manage injury like in 2021. They have been more consistent and stable through this summer.

Fundamentals have been a cornerstone to a program that boasts a state-best 17 championship game appearances. Defense has been a strength and pitching supported by defense is a successful formula.

“We don’t give the other team extra chances,” Mauss said. “If you throw strikes and don’t give the team extra chances or extra outs, then you’re in good shape.”

The Hawks open the postseason with a first-round bye and host the winner between Saturday’s matchup between Dunkerton and East Buchanan. Kee added a game with 2A foe New Hampton for Friday, interrupting the weeklong break after Tuesday’s regular-season finale against Wapsie Valley.

“We’re playing pretty good baseball,” Mauss said. “We’re looking forward to the postseason.”

Cedar Rapids Prairie made the most notable jump in this week’s poll, moving up three spots to No. 2 in Class 4A. The Hawks replaced Iowa City High, which dropped two places to No. 4. The ranking is the highest this season for Prairie, which was a state semifinalist a year ago.

“We have been on a pretty consistent rise over the past couple weeks,” Prairie Coach James Nelson said. “Our early-season schedule was challenging and I think it prepared us for how we are playing now.”

The Hawks owned a 25-7 record before Tuesday’s game at Clinton. They have won 15 of their last 17 games. Prairie is tied with City High at 19-7 in the Mississippi Valley Conference, trailing 3A No. 4 Western Dubuque by one game for the Mississippi Division lead.

“The MVC is tough and has a ton of parity, so it feels like the same challenge every night,” Nelson said. “No matter the class, 3A or 4A, if you are able to compete and win games at the top of the MVC, you are going to be highly ranked across the state of Iowa.”

Other MVC teams ranked were 4A No. 10 Cedar Falls, 3A fifth-ranked Dubuque Wahlert and Cedar Rapids Xavier, which is one spot back of the Golden Eagles in 3A.

The Wamac Conference remains represented by a quartet of teams. Clear Creek Amana, defending 3A champion Marion and Independence fill the final three spots in 3A. Dyersville Beckman moved to fourth in 2A.

Cascade remained at third in 2A with Anamosa coming in ninth.

North Linn clinched the Tri-Rivers West title with a 2-1 and 10-0 sweep of Alburnett Monday. The Lynx close their regular season with a 27-2 mark and perfect 14-0 conference record. They are ranked sixth in 1A, entering Saturday’s first-round district game at home against Springville.

Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings

(June 27)

CLASS 1A (Final)

1. Remsen St. Mary’s

2. Mason City Newman

3. New London

4. Lansing Kee

5. Don Bosco

6. North Linn

7. Coon Rapids-Bayard

8. Anita CAM

9. Ankeny Christian

10. Kingsley-Pierson

Others receiving votes: Highland, Lisbon, Lynnville-Sully, Mount Ayr, Woodbury Central.

CLASS 2A (Final)

1. Van Meter

2. Estherville-Lincoln Central

3. Cascade

4. Dyersville Beckman

5. Clarinda

6. West Marshall

7. Dike-New Hartford

8. Underwood

9 Anamosa

10. Des Moines Christian

Others receiving votes: Davis County, Mediapolis, Mid-Prairie, Roland-Story, Waterloo Columbus.

CLASS 3A

1. Davenport Assumption

2. Lewis Central

3. Grinnell

4. Western Dubuque

5. Dubuque Wahlert

6. Cedar Rapids Xavier

7. North Polk

8. Clear Creek Amana

9. Marion

10. Independence

Others receiving votes: Adel ADM, Sioux City Heelan, Solon, Webster City, West Delaware

CLASS 4A

1. Johnston

2. Cedar Rapids Prairie

3. Waukee

4. Iowa City High

5. Ankeny Centennial

6. Urbandale

7. West Des Moines Dowling

8. Pleasant Valley

9. West Des Moines Valley

10. Cedar Falls

Others receiving votes: Ankeny, Dubuque Hempstead, North Scott, Southeast Polk, Waukee Northwest.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com